Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – The Jonesboro City Council approved the 2026 operating budget Tuesday night.
The council voted 11-1 to approve the budget. LJ Bryant was the only dissenting vote.
The 2026 budget totals $85 million, with $54 million allotted for salaries, personnel costs, and first responder training, $2.7 million in fixed assessments and minor equipment, and $1 million set aside for capital improvements. The 2025 budget was $84 million.
City employees will see a 2% step raise and 2% cost-of-living adjustment. Employees not eligible for a step raise will receive a 4% cost-of-living adjustment. A step raise is a periodic salary increase that moves an employee to a higher “step” within their current pay grade.
In addition, $3 million of the city’s reserve funding is planned for street infrastructure and maintenance.
Included in the budget is a line item dedicating $1.1 million in franchise fees, which are fees paid by local utilities and/or telecommunications providers for the use of public rights-of-way.
These fees will go toward debt service for the $17.5 million capital improvement revenue bonds to fund various projects, including new pedestrian accommodations, street improvements, and the upcoming E911/Real Time Crime Center.
The budget appropriates $250,000 for ADA-compliant sidewalks and $1.1 million for “recurring capital improvements” such as drainage improvements, industrial rail maintenance, and economic development.
A total of $4.4 million is appropriated in the city’s depreciation fund. The budget also includes planning for the replacement of 37 units in city vehicle fleets. Twenty-five of those are allocated for the Jonesboro Police Department.
The budget plans for the purchase of two new fire apparatuses for the Jonesboro Fire Department, which will cost $2.5 million in total.
The city will contribute $1.25 million, with half of that funding appropriated last year and the other half appropriated this year. City Water and Light of Jonesboro will be contributing the other $1.2 million over two budget cycles.
Read the full budget here.
